Thomas Tuchel has taken an unusual approach to his England squad this week, and two Manchester United players could find their camp only lasts a week
Michael Carrick and Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is back in the England squad but has only one game to impress Thomas Tuchel
View Image
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo will both be part of a smaller group of players who reported to St George's Park for England duty on Monday and the Manchester United duo are both set to play against Uruguay on Friday.
They are set to be part of a group of 19 outfield players and four goalkeepers who will train this week and then play in the friendly against the South American side, before another group reports to St George's Park on Saturday morning.
That will include players who are more firmly in Tuchel's plans for the summer World Cup and when that group check in Tuchel has said he expects seven or eight players from the first week to be sent home on Monday, with a group of "22 or 23" preparing for the second friendly against Japan.
HEREHEREHEREHERE.
The split nature of the squad raises the stakes for this week and means Maguire and Mainoo, who both celebrated a recall to the squad for the first time in 18 months on Friday, know they have to hit the ground running this week to put themselves firmly in Tuchel's thoughts for the World Cup.
Tuchel has told 11 players - Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka - to take a rest this week before reporting on Saturday, at which point some players will be sent back.
“These guys have played 3,500 minutes, some 4,000 minutes,” Tuchel said of that group of 11. “Some of these guys have played more minutes than in the whole of last season.
“All of these players have contributed in September, October and November. They have credit with me. To give them a break mentally and physically, we will benefit from it.”
Mainoo could well be competing against Adam Wharton for a spot in the squad to face Japan as well next week. He has started all 10 Premier League games under Michael Carrick at United, but he hadn't started at all until January, having been ostracised by Ruben Amorim.
“He is still in a phase where he hasn’t played for long [so] I think the real strength is about to come,” Tuchel said. “Now it’s the moment to get to know him and give him the chance to fight for the No8 position.”
While there was good news for Maguire and Mainoo, Luke Shaw wasn't included in the 35-man squad and his hopes of making the World Cup now appear to be over.
He hasn't been called up at all by Tuchel and the German admitted the United full-back probably felt that was unfair, as he discussed the decision to overlook Shaw and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“The competition for their positions is on, there are different profiles,” he said. “There are different reasons why we take and stick with other players, and I know that it’s tough decisions. I know that it’s prominent names. I know they’re full of talent, but I also feel that I know what they can give us.
“I saw them in tournaments for England. I saw them with us in camp. The exception is Luke, he was not in camp. So of course, he’s upset, and he feels that it’s slightly unfair. Maybe it is, but it comes with the job."